The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival (SLOIFF) is pleased to present two films that celebrate the culture and community of skateboarding – the iconic Dogtown and Z-Boys and the short documentary 4DWN.
“Skate films have been a fundamental part of independent filmmaking since its early origins, allowing any kid the ability to pick up a camera and make content regardless of cost, distribution, or fame. It has often been the launchpad to cultural movements, social change, music and athleticism, but skateboarding has also always been about community,” said Skye McLennan, executive director of SLOIFF. “We couldn’t think of a more perfect skate film than Stacy Peralta’s Dogtown and Z-Boys — a film that tracks the early origins of the Z-boys who left an indelible mark on the history of skateboarding.”
Community of Skate kicks off at 5:30 in the lobby of the Fremont Theater with an opportunity to view skateboards designed by the San Luis Obispo High School Advanced Graphic Design Class, with a demonstration of live-screen printing of custom designs by the students.
The film screenings begin at 6:30 pm. Before the feature film Dogtown and Z-Boys, there will be a screening of the short film 4DWN. 4DWN tells the unconventional and deeply personal story of a South Dallas skatepark whose mission is to change the lives of everyone who walks through the gate. The 4DWN skatepark is a resilience hub rooted in skate culture, tackling head-on the challenges of food insecurity and social justice in one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods.
“We made the 4DWN film with the hopes of bringing the story of this incredible Dallas skate community to audiences around the country. We are so psyched to celebrate the transformative power of skateboarding in a place like SLO where the culture runs so deep. Come share in the stoke!” said Danny Schmidt, director of 4DWN.
Narrated by Sean Penn, award-winning Dogtown and Z-Boys tells the story of how skateboarding was revolutionized in the 70’s by local skaters from the run-down beachside area between Santa Monica and Venice, nicknamed Dogtown. The Zephyr Skateboard Team pioneered skating styles that introduced incredible athleticism and edgy moves influenced by surfing to the sport, transforming it in the process. An original member of the Z-Boys, Director Stacy Peralta brings together Super 8 film footage, black and white vintage photographs, interviews with the founding crew and a scorching soundtrack to create a dynamic documentary about this pivotal time in skateboarding history.
There will be a discussion immediately after the screening with Dogtown’s director Stacy Peralta, 4DWN founders Rob Cahill and Mike Crum, skateboarding legend Kareem Campbell, and 4DWN director Danny Schmidt.
Community of Skate is sponsored by Skate Warehouse, HOP WTR, Swift Action Fund and Ceremony Skate Shop.
EVENT DETAILS:
- Community of Skate – Presented by San Luis Obispo International Film Festival
- Sunday, April 28
- 5:30 pm – Doors open with skateboards designed by the San Luis Obispo High School Advanced Graphic Design Class on view, and a live-screen printing demo of custom designs by the students.
- 6:30 pm – film screening of 4DWN and Dogtown and Z-Boys
- 8:40 pm Q & A with Stacy Peralta and 4DWN team
- Location: Fremont Theatre, 1025 Monterey St. San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
- Tickets: $25 General / $20 Students & SLO Film Society. All-access passes are accepted.
- Online: https://slofilmfest.org/events/
- In Person: Festival HQ opens mid-April, location TBA